TEKA LANG, SI EUART BA ‘YON?” Luckily, that question came from Clavis because it would be a total disaster kung galing iyon kay Shanta. I diverted my gaze at him and simply replied, "Yeah, you're right. It's him."  He chuckled at my surprise. "Kawawa ka naman, Mariposa. Hindi ka niya pinansin?"  I rolled my eyes and opened my car door. "Huwag kang ano dyan, Umbok. Nagmamadali siyang umalis. Baka hindi ako nakita. Baka may pupuntahan." "Madaya 'yon! Siya lang mag-isa?" He asked when I was about to enter the car. But I paused. Umayos ako ng tayo mula sa akmang pagkakaupo. Natulala ako sa mukha ni Clavis. I observed his little actions. Na

YOU ARE damn… wasted," I uttered breathfully as her head fell and rose at every move she made.  "Hmm… Shh!" Nagtaas ng daliri sa ilong si Shanta habang tumatawa sa sarili. "I'm not lasing, you asshole!"  Then, she chuckled at her stubbornness. Pumikit ako nang mariin sa bawat mabibigat na kilos niya. "Come on. Get up now and let's leave this place." I gripped her arms and carefully lifted her up. "Hey! What the fuck! Let go, I wanna stay here!" pagrarambo niya at ibinagsak ang pwet sa upuan.  "You are such… a mess that I've got no freaking choice but to clean all of your nasty things. So, get up." 

MAGKITA-KITA na lang tayo doon,” sabi ni Clavis noong matapos ang klase sa araw na ito.    After hearing the sad news about Macine’s father, napagdesisyunan naming dumalo sa lamay. Since she’s also a friend to us and to Shanta, it’s best to mourn with her and to make her feel that she’s not alone in these lonely times.   “Egis, egis! Bibili muna kami ng bulaklak,” anang Katlego at itinuro si Lachlan.   I looked around our space in the parking lot. Kumpleto kaming anim. Euart was checking his watch. Nasa loob na ng kotse si Jirario pero nakabukas ang kanyang bintana. Clavis and the other two were beside their car and still conversing with each other.   Habang ako, may hinahanap pa rin na isang taong kukumpleto s

I WENT OUT the bathroom after a long and hot shower.    Noong makauwi ako kanina, galit na galit si Mama sa itsura ko. Dahilan ito para utusan niya ang ilang maids na punasan ang basang sahig na dinaanan ko.   With a clean towel, I dried my damp hair as I walked towards the side table. I was still half-naked when my phone rang. Pinulot ko iyon saka sinagot.   "Hmm?" bungad ko at tumingala sa orasan. It was past seven.    "Nasaan ka na? Nandito na kaming lima, ikaw na lang ang wala." Si Clavis mula sa kabilang linya.    "Nasa bahay pa ako," simpleng sagot ko at nagtungo sa walk-in closet para maghanap ng damit pang lamay.  

IT'S YOUR COUSIN, Clavis…" My voice trembled as I spoke to Shanta. "He just called me."   "Anong sinabi? Hinahanap na naman ako?" She guessed.    Saka bumaba ang kanyang tingin sa bulsa ko, where I immediately kept my phone. Ilang ulit akong tumango at nagsimulang maglakad.   "Yes, yes." I smiled awkwardly. "He's looking for you again. Sinabi kong kasama kita. And…"   Itinikom ko ang bibig ko. I could not find the right words. My mind went blank after hearing the news from Clavis. At wala akong lakas para sabihin sa pinsan niya iyon.   I continued walking on the white sand as she followed behind me. I twisted my fingers and carved my nails. Ako ang nat